Keliber's Lithium Production Shows Lower Emissions Than Competitors

Helsinki – Keliber, part of Sibanye-Stillwater, has analyzed the CO2 emissions from its planned lithium hydroxide production in two studies. The company reports that its lithium hydroxide will have a smaller carbon footprint compared to most competitors' products. Production is scheduled to begin in 2024.

Keliber benefits from its integrated production process. The ore is extracted and processed less than 70 kilometers from the lithium chemical plant, where the refining process is energy efficient. More than half of the electricity from the Finnish national grid is generated from renewable energy sources. Additionally, Keliber's location near potential European customers positively impacts the emissions generated in the production chain.

Consulting firm Wood Mackenzie analyzed seven existing or planned global lithium chemical production chains ending in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In this comparison, Keliber demonstrated the lowest emission intensity at 4.38 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOHꞏH2O) produced.

This analysis encompasses all CO2 emissions associated with the company’s own production at the mine site, refining facility, and transport between these facilities, as well as emissions from the production of purchased electricity. The two production routes with the highest emission intensity represent over half of the current global production of lithium carbonate and hydroxide. These routes originate in Australia, where spodumene ore is extracted, processed, and transported to China for refining, with emissions exceeding 16 tonnes per tonne, largely due to the dominant use of coal for energy.